Why do some people slow down in their progress once they reach middle age?
Because they can no longer tolerate people who are more capable than themselves — and they have begun to harbor arrogance and prejudice.
In truth, all living beings share one fundamental nature: an instinctive drive to defend their interests in wealth and territory. In exactly the same way, they instinctively defend their reputation in thought and belief.
This is why so many people cling to clearly mistaken views and refuse to tolerate even the gentlest challenge.
No matter how insightful or correct another person’s perspective may be, they will not concede it.
Because from your side, you are having an objective discussion about an idea. But from their side, they feel you have slapped them hard across the face.
One person is thinking about logic. The other is thinking about dignity.
So I rarely engage in direct arguments with others — because I understand clearly that it is pointless. The deeper a conversation goes, the more the other person tends to drift away from the substance of the discussion, growing increasingly agitated until they finally lose their temper and harbor resentment. There is no need for that.
This is also why, when discussing matters, I almost never oppose or challenge what others say, and I never allow our differing views to create an adversarial dynamic.
Simply follow the other person’s logic, find out what you actually want to know, offer a few words of sincere flattery about their profound insight — and leave it at that.
As for the stubborn ones? Time will prove everything.
[1103] Thoughts on the Relaxation of the Dynamic Zero-COVID Policy
Student Question: Respected Master Chi, do you think the dynamic zero-COVID policy will be relaxed in the future? What do you predict the path toward relaxation will look like?
Master Chi’s Response: No comment. Personally, I am looking forward to a warmer spring — perhaps March or April of next year.